Rotary Friendship Exchange is Rotary's international exchange program for Rotarians and their families. Friendship Exchange provides participants the opportunity to experience other cultures by staying in the homes of Rotarians in other countries. The program aims to advance international understanding and peace through personal contact across borders while developing interclub relationships for fellowship and service projects.
There are three types of Friendship Exchanges:
Visitor Program
Individual Rotarians, who may be accompanied by family members, spend a few days in the home of a Rotarian in another country.
Team Program
Rotarian couples, typically four to six, visit several communities in a host district for up to one month.
Uni-vocational
Host and guest Rotarians of the same occupation observe how their job is done in other countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my district is currently participating?
Contact your district governor. At the beginning of each term, the governor will appoint a chairperson to coordinate the program in the district. The chairperson will then receive a directory of Friendship Exchange chairpersons who may be contacted to establish an exchange.
Who makes the arrangements?
The district chairperson is responsible for contacting other chairpersons and/or club presidents to determine which districts are interested in exchanges. The district chairperson also arranges exchange details, such as location, length of stay, number of participants, application processes, and participation requirements.
How are participants selected?
Participating districts develop their own criteria for selecting participants. Exchanges involve no liability to Rotary International.
I'm a high school student and would like to participate in an exchange. Does Rotary offer a program for secondary school students?
Yes, Rotary's Youth Exchange program offers students between the ages of 15 and 19 both short- and long-term exchange opportunities.
How does a uni-vocational Rotary Friendship Exchange differ from a Group Study Exchange?
Friendship Exchange, a program of Rotary International, offers professional camaraderie for Rotarians who are established in their occupations. Group Study Exchange, which is funded by The Rotary Foundation of RI, offers groups of non-Rotarians, organized by a Rotarian team leader, the opportunity to learn how their profession is performed in a foreign country.
Rotary Friendship Exchange Handbook
